Marjoram Plant Care Guide: How to Grow Marjoram Plants

Marjoram (Origanum majorana or Majorana hortensis) is a tender perennial herb in the mint family (Lamiaceae) that has been cultivated for thousands of years. In Greek mythology, marjoram was grown by the goddess Aphrodite. The fuzzy, oval-shaped, gray-green leaves grow opposite from each other, forming distinctive clusters, or knots, which is why the plant is also known as knotted marjoram. Native to the Mediterranean, North Africa, and western Asia, marjoram is often called sweet marjoram to distinguish it from oregano varieties like wild marjoram (Origanum vulgare) and pot marjoram (Origanum onites), aka Turkish oregano.

Marjoram thrives in warm climates or USDA hardiness zones nine to ten. If you live in a suitable climate, follow these tips for planting marjoram.

1. 1. Sow seeds in late spring. If you’re planting marjoram seeds, sow them when air temperatures are between sixty and eighty degrees Fahrenheit. Soaking the seeds overnight can help speed up germination. You can also start the seeds indoors in a moist seed-starting tray.
2. 2. Choose a sunny spot. Marjoram plants thrive in full-sun areas. If you’re planting in your garden, choose a spot that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day. If you're growing marjoram indoors as a houseplant, place it on a sunny windowsill.
3. 3. Space marjoram plants a foot away from other plants. Whether you’re planting in an herb garden or potting marjoram, be sure to give it space from nearby plants. Good air circulation is crucial for new growth and keeping away pests.
4. 4. Plant marjoram plants in well-draining soil. Marjoram needs sandy or loamy soil that has good drainage. It does best in a soil pH that’s slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
5. 5. Water young plants more often than mature plants. New plants need about an inch of water a week. The soil should remain moist but not soggy. Mature plants have a good drought tolerance but should still be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry. Overwatering will lead to fungal problems or root rot.
6. 6. Add a layer of mulch. Cover the base of the plant with a layer of mulch to help with water retention.

Consider these care tips for keeping marjoram strong and healthy. Plant in early spring once the last frost is well behind you.

1. 1. Prune your plants. Before marjoram flowers start blooming, use your fingernails to pinch back stems. This will help the plant have a bushy growth habit.
2. 2. Grow marjoram as a companion plant. Marjoram typically keeps many garden pests away and attracts beneficial insects and pollinators such as bees and butterflies, to your herb garden.
3. 3. Control pests. Every so often, marjoram plants may suffer attacks from aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. Spider mites make themselves known by their webbings. If you see bugs or webs on your marjoram leaves, consider applying neem oil or an organic pesticide.
4. 4. Propagate your plant as needed. Propagation can help keep good airflow around marjoram leaves. Fresh marjoram can be propagated by cutting. Use sharp garden shears to snip four to six inches off of a stem. Remove the bottom half of the foliage—including flower buds—from the stem. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and place it in a small pot filled with moist, organic potting soil.

Allow your plant two to three months of growth before harvesting any stems or leaves. Throughout the growing season, cut off sprigs of the plant when needed but be sure to avoid removing more than a third of the plant at a time. The best time to harvest marjoram is late spring to early summer. Fresh leaves can be used in cooking, or they can be dried and kept in an airtight container for long-term storage.

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